Location: 16 km away from Kottayam town, central Kerala.

Tourist season: Between June and August.

The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake and is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live here in flocks are a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.
An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom offers visitors many other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at the Taj Garden Retreat, a sprawling old bungalow-turned-resort. The Kumarakom Tourist Village Complex of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation has independent cottages built on stills, set among coconut and banana plantations. Holiday packages on the houseboats, traditional Kettuvalloms, are an out-of-this-world experience.